Thomas ‘Slim’ Jerrel Hastings
May 21, 2013
A memorial service for Thomas “Slim” Jerrel Hastings, 86, of Tennessee was Sun., May 26, at 4 p.m. in the chapel of Tullahoma Funeral Home.
Mr. Hastings died Tues., May 21, 2013, at St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville, Tenn. He was born Jan. 8, 1927, to Alvin Leroy and Vera Lee Hastings. He lived a full life and was proud of having served his country for 22 years in the U.S. Navy, achieving the rank of Gunner’s Mate Missile Chief, GMMC. He retired in 1982, after an additional 15 years of employment with the civil service. His military career took him throughout the United States and many of the waters and ports of the world. His desires to travel, cruise and fly were all fulfilled when he reached retirement.
In his earlier years, Mr. Hastings was a member of the 1946 Tullahoma High School Wildcat football team, of which he had many fond memories. In his later years, he enjoyed a round of pool at the local senior citizens center, followed by an afternoon of TV. John Wayne movies were a favorite. Being an Alabama fan when everyone around him was a Tennessee fan was a joy he relished. He was a man of strong morals and beliefs that he held his entire life and did not waiver with the ever-changing ways of today’s world. He was preceded in death by his parents; Alvin Leroy and Vera Lee McKinney Hastings; wife, Aleen Bonnell Hastings; two sons, Jonathan Neil Hastings and Thomas J. Hastings Jr.; a brother, Ewal Wallie Hastings; and a sister, Christine Lawder.
He is survived by his wife, Vernie Hale Hastings of Tullahoma, Tenn.; Ron and wife Sandy Bonnell of Hartselle; Tammy and Sam Hatfield of Estill Springs, Tenn.; Bryan and wife Abbe Hale of Brentwood, Tenn.; Brent and wife Leanne Hale of Tullahoma, Tenn.; Cameron and wife Kim Bonnell of Orange, Calif.; Shane and wife Shelly Alexander of Hartselle; Shad and wife Regina Alexander of Hartselle; and seven great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to Alive Hospice, alivehospice.org/ donations, your local Humane Society or a charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.tullahomafuneralhome.com.
